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Biomedical subjects

R G Mason

Publications and source records attributed to R G Mason.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hemoglobin Nigeria (alpha-81 Ser replaced by Cys):a new variant associated with alpha-thalassemia.

Hematologic evaluation of a Nigerian obstetrical patient disclosed the presence of sickle-cell trait as well as evidence of a hemoglobin alpha-chain abnormality. Hemoglobins containing the variant alpha-chain were isolated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and analysis of the purified alpha-chain demonstrated a ser replaced by cys substitution at alpha-81. The abnormal alpha-chain represented approximately 45% of the total, and hemoglobins containing this alpha-chain appeared to have normal stability and functional properties. In addition to the abnormal hemoglobins that were identified in this patient, she also was found to have persistent microcytosis in the absence of iron deficiency, and the percentage of HbS in her erythrocytes was less than that usually present in individuals with sickle cell trait. These findings, together with a reduced alpha/beta globin synthesis ratio from her peripheral blood reticulocytes, indicated that the presence of alpha-thalassemia trait. Hematologic findings from members of the patients's family suggest that an alpha-thalassemia gene may be linked to that of the structurally abnormal alpha-chain.

Absorption↗

Two new sickle cell syndromes: HbS, Hb Camden, and alpha-thalassemia; and HbS in combination with Hb Tacoma.

Hemoglobin variants having electrophoretic mobility more rapid than that of HbA were identified in combination with sickle hemoglobin in two patients at the Cook County Hospital. Neither individual had symptomatic hematologic disease. In one patient, the rapidly migrating hemoglobin had the amino acid substitution characteristic of Hb Tacoma (beta-40 arg leads to ser), a mildly unstable variant. In the other patient, Hb Camden (beta-131 gln leads to glu) was identified, and the hematologic findings also indicated that he has alpha-thalassemia trait. In the patient with HbS-Camden--alpha-thalassemia, globin synthesis was unbalanced (alpha/beta 0.66), and HbS represented only 19.5% of the total hemoglobin. The latter finding suggests that under conditions of limited alpha-chain availability beta Camden may combine with alpha subunits at least as efficiently as does betaA. HbS represented 56% of the hemoglobin of the patient with HbS Tacoma, although the rate of synthesis of beta Tacoma by her reticulocytes was consistently greater than that of betaS. A time-course synthesis study demonstrated a progressive increase in the specific activity of beta Tacoma in relation to that of betaS, suggesting that the unstable beta-chains of Hb Tacoma underwent selective intracellular degradation. This process appears to explain the disparity between the rates of synthesis of the two beta chains and the relative representation of HbS and Hb Tacoma in the patient's erythrocytes.

Adolescent↗

Heparin neutralization of PGI2: effects upon platelets.

Heparin neutralizes the inhibitory effect of prostacyclin (PGI2) on platelet aggregation. The PGI2-induced enhancement of platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels is also inhibited. The mechanism appears to involve a direct interaction in which heparin neutralizes the inhibitory effects of PGI2 on platelet aggregation but, at the same time, does not lose its own anticoagulant activity. These findings may explain instances in which heparin infusions have been reported to produce hyperaggregation of platelets, thrombotic episodes, and thrombocytopenia in patients.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Sickle cell syndromes. III. Silent-carrier alpha-thalassemia in combination with hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C.

Silent carrier alpha-thalassemia was identified in two individuals, one with sickle-cell trait and the other hemoglobin (Hb) C trait. Both are parents of a child with characteristic hematologic features of the Hb SC-alpha thalassemia syndrome, including microcytosis and an unbalanced pattern of globin synthesis. In contrast to the typical findings that accompany heterozygous Hb S or Hb C with concomitant alpha-thalassemia trait, neither of the parents had microcytosis nor a percent of the abnormal hemoglobin in their erythrocytes that was below the normal range. In both, however, globin synthesis of peripheral blood reticulocytes was unbalanced, consistent with mild alpha-thalassemia. These findings suggest that the alpha-thalassemia silent carrier may be hematologically indistinguishable from the nonthalassemic individual, even when hemoglobin S or C are present.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Unbalanced globin chain synthesis by Hb Lincoln Park (anti-Lepore) reticulocytes.

Hemoglobin synthesis was studied in vitro in reticulocytes from a patient with the anti-Lepore variant Hb Lincoln Park. Incorporation of L-leucine-3H into the alpha and beta delta chains of Hb Lincoln Park was substantially less than the incorporation into the corresponding globin chains of Hb A, with the rate of synthesis of the beta delta chain being similar to that of the delta chain of Hb A2. Synthesis of the alpha and total non-alpha globin components was unbalanced, with a substantial excess of alpha chain synthesis. These findings help to explain the mild hemolytic disease present in individuals with this hemoglobin variant.

Globins↗

Sickle cell syndromes. II. The sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome.

Five American black patients, ages 1 to 16 years, with the sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome are described. Each patient had persistent microcytosis not explained by iron deficiency, and in each family the presence of alpha-thalassemia in combination with sickle cell trait was demonstrated in one of the parents. In one patient, in whom the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was established at birth, an elevated level of Barts (gamma4) hemoglobin was also found. In these patients levels of alkali-resistant hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts were similar to those of sickle cell anemia patients of comparable age; however, stained smears of their peripheral blood rarely showed the presence of irreversibly sickled cells. No major ameliorative effect of the alpha-thalassemia on the clinical expression of the sickle cell disease of these patients was evident.

Adolescent↗

Hemoglobin Lincoln Park: a betadelta fusion (anti-Lepore) variant with an amino acid deletion in the delta chain-derived segment.

An electrophoretically slow-moving hemoglobin variant was identified in three members of a family originating from Southern Mexico. The variant, Hb Lincoln Park, made up approximately 14% of the total hemoglobin and appeared to have normal stability and functional properties. None of the individuals in whom the abnormal hemoglobin was present was anemic, but each had a mildly elevated reticulocyte count. Structural data suggest that the non-alpha chain of Hb Lincoln Park represents a betadelta gene-fusion product, with normal beta chain structure of the amino-terminal portion of the chain and delta sequences subsequently, the crossover point occurring between animo acid residues 22 and 50. An additional abnormality is the deletion of valine-137, a component of the delta gene-derived segment of the betadelta chain. To account for the development of this abnormal globin chain, a series of intergenic crossovers is proposed; the first, a nonhomologous crossover between the beta and delta genes, presumably gave rise to the betadelta fusion gene; two additional crossovers, one of them unequal, may then have occurred between the same beta and delta genes to produce the amino acid deletion.

Adult↗

Reaction of blood with artificial surfaces of hemodialyzers. Studies of human blood with platelet defects or coagulation factor deficiencies.

Heparinized human blood was exposed to the dialysis membranes of commercially available pediatric size hemodialyzers in an in vitro flow circuit. Bloods from normal subjects and from patients with various blood coagulation and platelet function deficiencies were tested in this model system. In most cases, there was a heavy linear deposit of leukocytes on the dialysis membrane overlying support structures. In other areas, the cellular deposit was less uniform and consisted of single platelets, platelet aggregates, leukocytes, and occasional fibrocellular microthrombi. The number of adherent platelets was smaller in tests with blood from patients with congenital afibrinogenemia, factor XII deficiency, severe von Willebrand's disease, and thrombasthenia then in tests with blood from normal subjects or hemophilic patients. Hence, fibrinogen, factor XII, the von Willebrand factor, and a normal platelet plasma membrane appear necessary for adhesion of platelets to dialysis membranes.

Afibrinogenemia↗

Interaction of plasma proteins with artificial surfaces: protein adsorption isotherms.

A simple technique using a small disc which is dipped into a 125I-labeled protein solution has been devised to study the adsorption of human albumin, fibrinogen, and IgG onto Cuprophane or PVC. The purity of these human plasma proteins has been examined carefully with PAGE and immunochemical methods. The adsorption isotherms of albumin, fibrinogen, and IgG show a langmuir type adsorption. Delipidation of albumin did not alter the albumin affinity to Cuprophane and PVC. The surface saturation concentration (ng/cm2) for albumin, fibrinogen, or IgG were all found to be more on PVC (a hydrophobic surface) than on Cuprophane (a hydrophilic surface). The competitive adsorption of one protein species in a two- or three-protein mixture was also studied. Albumin and fibrinogen complete with each other for adsorption. The effects of IgG on the adsorption of albumin or fibrinogen were inconsistent and not predictable; the reason for this is unknown. The effect of laminar flow on albumin adsorption was studied with a specially designed Richardson flow chamber. In general caused an increase in albumin adsorption over that at static conditions. The increase of albumin adsorption was more pronounced also for PVC than for Cuprophane from 1 to 10 ml/min.

Adsorption↗

Affinity chromatographic demonstration of a thrombin binding protein from the platelet plasma membrane.

Human platelet plasma membrane glycoprotein I with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 150,000 has been shown to be one of the proteins retained by thrombin immobilized on Sepharose 4B. The retained glycoprotein has been recovered by sodium dodecyl sulfate elution and characterized by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol.

Blood Platelets↗